Regulation news: page 3
- April 2026
FCA Targeted Support to roll out from April 2026
The Government is working with the Financial Conduct Authority to roll out Targeted Support for consumers from April 2026, allowing authorised firms to suggest products to groups of customers.
National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates increase
The National Living Wage rose to £12.71 an hour on 1 April 2026, with the National Minimum Wage rates for younger workers and apprentices also increasing.
New payment account termination rules come into force
Rules taking effect on 28 April 2026 extend the notice payment firms must give before closing an account to 90 days for new contracts and require detailed reasons for the decision.
- March 2026
ECO funding to end from 31 March 2026
Government funding for the Energy Company Obligation ends on 31 March 2026 under Autumn Budget plans, with savings from scrapping ECO and shifting Renewables Obligation costs due to reach bills from April.
Treasury correspondence on proposed ISA changes published
The Economic Secretary to the Treasury wrote to the Chair of the Treasury Committee on 30 March 2026 about proposed changes to ISAs, with the correspondence published on 15 April 2026.
Chancellor meets lenders representing 75% of mortgage market and lenders reaffirm Mortgage Charter commitments
The Chancellor met lenders covering 75% of the mortgage market on 26 March 2026 to discuss rates and borrower support, after which lenders reaffirmed their Mortgage Charter commitments.
Current Warm Home Discount regulations end on 31 March 2026
The regulations underpinning the Warm Home Discount end on 31 March 2026, and replacement rules for England and Wales have been made to run the scheme to 2031.
FCA finalises revised motor finance compensation scheme
The FCA has finalised its motor finance compensation scheme, covering 12.1 million agreements made between 2007 and 2024, with an average payout of around £830 per agreement.
GB consequential regulations made and laid
The Social Security (Removal of Two Child Limit) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026 were made and laid before Parliament on 19 March 2026, coming into force on 6 April 2026.
BBC corrects misreported energy bills saving figure
BBC News has corrected a live blog post that overstated the saving from an upcoming energy price cap reduction, putting the figure at £170 when the Prime Minister said £117.
New measures to modernise and transform the UK redress system
The Financial Ombudsman Service and the FCA have announced new measures to modernise the UK redress system, saying consumers should get fair and quick compensation when things go wrong.
Government publishes reforms following its review of the Financial Ombudsman Service in March 2026
The government has published reforms following its review of the Financial Ombudsman Service, with some measures carried in the Financial Services and Markets Bill introduced in the House of Lords on 19 May 2026.
- February 2026
Fair4All Finance launches credit union transformation programme for England
Fair4All Finance has opened a public consultation on a credit union transformation programme for England, backed by £30m of dormant assets funding and delivered with HM Treasury and ABCUL.
- January 2026
Government responds to Warm Home Discount consultation without increasing the £150 rebate
The Government has published its response to the Warm Home Discount consultation, extending the scheme to 2031 but leaving the £150 rebate unchanged and eligibility rules as they are.
Government announces ground rent cap and ban on new leasehold flats
The government has published a draft bill to cap ground rent at £250 a year, ban new leasehold flats and make commonhold easier, with the cap not expected before late 2028.
CMA opens consultation on draft revised unfair contract terms guidance
The Competition and Markets Authority has opened a consultation on draft revised guidance and a technical note covering the unfair contract terms provisions in the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Consumer Scotland responds to Ofgem consultation on energy debt at change of tenancy
Consumer Scotland has published its response to an Ofgem consultation on energy debt at change of tenancy, tentatively supporting reform while warning about self-disconnection and pre-move liability risks.
Treasury Committee report warns current approach to AI in financial services risks serious harm
The Treasury Select Committee says the Bank of England, FCA and Treasury are exposing consumers and the financial system to potentially serious harm through their wait-and-see approach to AI.
Joint proposals published for pension value for money framework
The FCA, DWP and TPR have published joint proposals requiring pension schemes to publish performance, cost and service quality data under a colour rating, with comment open until 8 March.
Consumer Scotland opposes moving Warm Home Discount costs to the unit rate
Consumer Scotland has told the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero that the cost of the Warm Home Discount should stay on the standing charge rather than move to the unit rate.
Government publishes draft leasehold reform legislation
Draft legislation published in January 2026 would cap ground rents at £250 a year, ban leaseholds for most new flats and create a commonhold conversion route, with law possible from 2027.
- December 2025
Councils gain increased investigation powers under the Renters' Rights Act 2025
Councils in England have had increased investigation powers since 27 December 2025 to request documents, access third-party data and inspect properties in the private rented sector.
First changes under the Renters' Rights Act take effect
The Renters' Rights Act became law in October 2025 and some of its changes took effect from 27 December 2025, with the first phase of wider rules due from 1 May 2026.
Welsh Government publishes flood insurance consultation report
The Flood and Coastal Erosion Committee has published a consultation report and proposals on flood insurance in Wales, setting out a Welsh perspective on Insurance and Flood Re.
FCA and PSR jointly respond to HM Treasury's payments regulation recommendations
The FCA and the Payment Systems Regulator have jointly answered HM Treasury's November 2024 recommendations on payments regulation, publishing their response on 17 December 2025.
FCA publishes Mortgage Rule Review Feedback Statement and Roadmap with 2026 consultation areas
The FCA has published its Mortgage Rule Review Feedback Statement and Roadmap, setting out targeted reforms for first-time buyers and the self-employed and areas for consultation in 2026.
Consumer Scotland responds to FCA consultation on motor finance consumer redress scheme
Consumer Scotland has told the FCA's motor finance redress consultation that compensation should match court levels, that the scheme must be free to access and that lenders should chase customers.
Motor Insurance Taskforce final report published without action on low-income households
The Motor Insurance Taskforce has published its final report, and Fair By Design says it leaves low-income households facing the highest car insurance charges without action on targeted discounts.
FCA launches Firm Checker tool
The Financial Conduct Authority has launched Firm Checker, a tool for consumers to confirm whether a financial services firm is authorised and holds the permissions it needs, aimed at helping people avoid scams.
Resolution Foundation corrects Budget special welfare spending figure
The Resolution Foundation has corrected its Budget analysis, saying welfare policy over this Parliament cuts spending by £0.5 billion in 2029-30 rather than increasing it by £0.7 billion.